Over 130 people gathered at the Fernie Golf and Country Club for the Fernie Community and Business Excellence Awards on Thursday night. Organised and hosted by the Chamber of Commerce, the annual event is a celebration of the businesses and individuals who contribute to the community of Fernie.
Chamber President Todd Fyfe welcomed guests with a champagne toast sponsored by Fernie Real Estate Company and The Free Press to start the evening off. After enjoying dinner and a little socializing it was time to get to the main event; the presentation of the awards.
The 2012 Winners are:
Citizen of the Year: Stephanie Rogers
Entrepreneurs of the Year: Vanessa Croome and Krista Turcasso of Claris Media-Fernie Fix Magazine
Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Naomi Lentz of Heaven Boutique
Outstanding Customer Service: Freshies Coffee Company
Fernie Business of the Year: Fernie Brewing Company
New Business of the Year: Country Animal Hospital
Community Impact Award: The Arts Station
Chamber Business Excellence Awards: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory
Youth Achievement Award (awarded at graduation 2012 in June): Jessica Teeple
A huge congratulations to all of our winners, as well as all the nominees, you are truly Fernie’s finest!
Following the awards, guest speaker Bruce Kirby, an adventurer, explorer, writer, and photographer, spoke while guests enjoyed desert and coffee.
The 2012 Community and Business Excellence Awards received support from a number of local organisations, including Teck Coal, Fernie Alpine Resort, the City of Fernie, Finning, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, The Free Press, and Fernie Real Estate Company.